Transplanter



(No Model.)

B. WIGHT. 'TRANSPLANTER.

Patented Nov. 23, 1897.

NITED STATES PATENT Fries.

ELERSON WIGHT, OF HARRIMAN, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO WARREN A. ROCKWELL, OF SAME PLACE, AND JOHN A. ROCKWELL,

OF NORWICH, CONNECTICUT.

TRANSPLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,305, dated November 23, 1897.

Application filed June 2, 1896- Renewed April 16, 1897. Serial No. 632,493. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELERSON WIGHT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Harriman, in the county of Roane and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Transplanters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specifica tion.

My invention relates to transplanters for removing and transplanting flowers, bulbs, and plants of all descriptions; and its object is to provide an improved construction of the same which shall possess superior advantages with respect to efficiency in use.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a transplanter constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar View taken in a plane at right angles to Fig. 1, the dotted lines showing the pivoted bit or blade opened or turned away from the fixed bit or blade. Fig. 3 is a detail sec- 0 tional View.

In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates a bar provided at its upper end with laterally-proj ecting handles 2. Secured to the lower end of this bar is a curved metal 3 5 plate 3, to the lower end of which is secured a concavo-convex bit or blade 4, the upper portion of which is semicylindrical, while the lower portion is made tapering or semiconical. The upper end of this blade is formed 0 with an outwardlyextending flange 5, to which is secured a brace-rod 6, also secured to the bar 1. Pivoted to the lower end of the bar 1 is a curved lever 7, the lower end of which is secured to a bit or blade 8, similar 5 in all respects to hit or blade'4, except that its lower end is somewhat more pointed, so that it will fit in the lower end of the bit or blade 4. The opposite end of the lever 7 is pivotally connected with a rod 9, passing through an eye or loop 10, secured to bar 1 and having its upper end bent at a right an gle and provided with a handle 12.

Secured to the lower end of the bar 1 is a curved spring 13, the free end of which bears against the lower end of the lever 7 and by its tension serves to closethe bit or blade secured to the lever by forcing it against or in contact with the fixed bit or blade 4. It will be seen that the edges of the tapering portion of the bits or blades do not meet, but are out away, forming a space 14 therebetween to allow dirt to sift into the interior of the bits or blades.

The numeral 13' designates an adjustable marker consisting of a screw-threaded horizontal rod passing through a screw-threaded eye 14' near the lower end of the bar 1 and curved or bent into the arc of a circle running part way around one of the bits or blades and then turned downward, forming a Vertical arm 15.

The operation is as follows: The handles of the bar 1 are grasped by either hand and the plant dropped into the cavity or space between the bits or blades, which are closed by the spring. The bits or blades are then inserted in the ground to anyrequired depth, and the operator then draws the rod 9 upward by means of its handle, which will open the movable bit or blade or force it away from the fixed one, as shown by the dotted lines, Fig. 2. Then by drawing the bits or blades out ofthe ground the plant will remain in the hole made by the same. By releasing the rod 9 the bits or blades will resume their normal position. It is obvious that plants may be removed from the ground as well as planted.

In planting the marker will indent the ground as each plant is inserted, showing where the next plant is to be inserted. This marker is adjustable by means of the nut. The spaces between the edges of the bits or blades will admit a certain amount of loose earth to sift around the roots of the plant be- 5 fore the bits or blades are withdrawn. It will also be noted that the edges at the point of the fixed bit or blade are turned inward, so that the point of the movable bit will engage therewith. By this construction, when the device is inserted in the ground, earth is prevented from getting therebetween, thus spreading or forcing the movable bit or blade outward.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- I11 a transplanter, the combination with the bar, the curved plate secured thereto, the conical bit or blade secured thereto,the cu rved lever, the movable conical bit or blade secured to said lever, the operating-rod and the spring and the point of the fixed blade or bit overlapping the point of the movable one,-of

the marker consisting of the rod having one end screw-threaded and engaging With an eye on said bar and curved or bent in the arc of a circle around the stationary blade and then extended vertically downward, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ELERSON IVIGIIT.

WVitnesses:

OTTO FISCHER, JOHN A. ROCKWELL. 

